Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,549, John Fink, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York.
Fink, John or Finkanover, Hans
R 3,549
CONTENTS

State of New York Chautauqua County
On this twelfth day of February in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court before the judges of the court of Common Pleas now sitting in the village of Mayville in and for the county of Chautauqua (the said court being a court of record because it proceeds according to the course of the common law, keeps a record of its proceedings and has a clerk and seal) John Sink (called in the dutch language Hans Sinkanoo, a resident of the village of Dunkirk in the county of Chautauqua aforesaid, aged twenty nine years the first of September last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That his former place of residence before and at the time of his enlistment was Skenesborough in the State of New York being the county of Columbia. That he has no record of his age but is positive in his opinion & belief that it is as above stated. That he enlisted at Rhinebeck on the North River in the said State of New York, as a private, in May 1777 (but the day of the month he does not recollect) in Captain Thomas O'Neills Company in Col. Peter Gansevoorts Regiment for three years and that previous thereto he has volunteered as a minute man. That he served the whole term in the said Company & Regiment and knows not how much longer term in the said Regiment was the third New York Regiment. That Abram Bogardus was a lieutenant in said Company. That from the place of his enlistment (Rhinebeck Dutchess County, New York) he marched to Albany. That the said Regiment staid there a few days, from thence were marched to Schenectady and after a short halt, he thinks not over a day, they marched to Fort Stanwix. That he was with the said Company and Regiment at Fort Stanwix during the siege. That he cannot

recalled precisely how long he was at Fort Stanwix, but knows that he there until into the second winter after his arrival there. That from Fort Stanwix he marched with the said regiment to Schenectady where he, and many of the rest of the soldiers had the small Pox. That after their recovery, therefrom they were marched to Albany and arrived there in the Spring. That he continued with the said Company and regiment at Albany till the time of his discharge. That he served the whole three years, and some over. That he was honorably discharged at Albany. That his discharge is lost or destroyed. That he was in no battles except at the Siege of Fort Stanwix aforesaid. He recalled the first summer of his service there was some dissatisfaction with Col. Gansvoort for causing five men shot for desertion. That it was said to be illegal. Three of the men were Germans. The names of the other two he thinks John Kralp, & Wit Mascher. That after this aforesaid discharge he thinks Col Van Scaick succeeded to the command of the said regiment, or that the said Regiment or some part of it was transferred to the said Van Scaick's Regiment. That he does not know of many who served with him in the said Army that are now living. That Gusham Vanderkyden who served in the same regiment was living and resided at Schenectady the last he this deponent heard of him. That the said Vanderkyden was well acquainted with this deponent.
That he has since the revolutionary war lived at Albany and Schenectady, but mostly at the latter place. That he is poor has no property, and for a great many years past he has resided amongst his friends at Schenectady. That he now resides at Puerkirk in the County of Chautauqua aforesaid with his son Adam Sink and has resided there for the space of over two years past, and is dependent on him for his support. That he has formed no acquaintances at the place of his present residence, and knows nobody in the neighborhood particularly except his son & his son's family and Ernst Mullett Esquire of the said village.

That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
W. H. Walworth Judge
John Sink
Chautauqua County ss. Adam Sink (Son of John Sink) of Panton in said County being duly sworn Says: That he is aged thirty nine years That from his earliest recollection his father John Sink, who has Subscribed & Sworn to the foregoing declaration has resided at different places in the counties of Dutchess, Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga but principally in the County of Schenectady. That his Said Father has resided a more than twenty five years past, in the County of Schenectady, till two years ago last October when he came to reside with this deponent. But this deponent further Says that the Said John Sink was ever reputed to be a man of truth & veracity, in the neighborhood where he has resided. This this deponent from the time of his first recollection has frequently heard his father relate the story of his revolutionary services to and amongst his neighbors and that the facts thus frequently relate years & years ago by the Said John Sink correspond, as this deponent believes, with the foregoing declaration. And this deponent has no doubt but that the Said John Sink is the identical person referred to in the affidavit of Catherine Vandeburyan & Adam Dings. hereto annexed. And this deponent further Says that the Said John Sink has few if any acquaintances in this place, and is acquainted with no clergyman in the vicinity. Sworn to & Subscribed this 12 th day of February 1833 Adam Sink John B. Morris Atty

Carthage Shautauque County ss. Ernest Muller of Pultusk in said county being duly sworn says that he is acquainted with John Sink of Pultusk aforesaid who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That he this deponent only believes that the said John Sink is of the age of seventy nine years as by him above stated in his declaration. That that he served in the revolutionary war as by the said John Sink above set forth. That he this deponent for the space of six or eight months past has frequently heard the said Sink relate the particulars of his service. That the above declaration was reduced to writing by this deponent from the relation of the said Sink before he this deponent ever saw the affidavit made by Gustav Vandenhuyden. And that the said Sink referred to the said Vandenhuyden & some others in Schenectady for proof of his said service. And that all the persons named by said Sink as fellow soldiers with him except the said Vandenhuyden, this deponent has found no enquiry to be dead. And this deponent further says that the said Sink is aged & infirm, and is seldom out of the house or garden of his son, and that he has therefore no acquaintance here and no one here can know anything of his character for truth. Ernest Muller Sworn & Subscribed before me City 12 th 1833 James Barry att.
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, and after examining the affidavits and certificates as well of Adam Sink and Ernest Muller as those of Gustav Vandenhuyden, Adam Dier, and the certificate of the Reverend Jacob Van Vactor, and the certificate of the Clerk of the county of Schenectady all herewith annexed, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them, that Adam Sink & Ernest Muller who have severally made the above affidavits, are residents of the village of Pultusk aforesaid, and

an credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I James B Scory Clerk of the court of common pleas in & for the county of Chautauqua and State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing and the papers hereto annexed contain the original proceedings of, and the documents presented to, the said court in the matter of the application of John Link for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three.
James B Scory Clerk
State of New York Chautauqua County Clerks Office
I certify that Benjamin Walworth Esqr before whom the foregoing declaration purports to have been sworn was at the time of taking said affidavit one of the Judges of the court of common pleas & that his name subscribed thereto is genuine Witness my hand and seal of office this 15th day of Feb. 1833
James B Scory Clerk

State of New York County of Rensselaer } ss. Margaret Dings of the Town of Greenbush in the County aforesaid being duly sworn deponeth, that John Fink (usually called Hans Finkenauer in Dutch) the person mentioned in the affidavit of Adam Dings (this deponent's husband) which is hereto an- nexed, and which said Fink was a soldier in the revolutionary war, is a half brother of this deponent. That this deponent well recollects that the said John Fink enlisted as a soldier in the United States Service, in the early part of the revolutionary war, and as this deponent believes some time in the year 1777, but at what particular part of the year deponent does not recollect. And this deponent further saith that at the time of his enlistment the said John Fink resided with his mother at Living- ston's Manor, and this deponent well re- members that he was absent from home until after the termination of the said war, and she also recollects to have heard her mother express her fears that she should never again see him, and that he had probably died. And this deponent further saith that as she was quite young during the revolutionary war, she has not a very distinct recollection of the events that hap- pened during its continuance. That the said John Fink returned home to Livingston's Manor some time after the close of the war

but at what particular time she, depon- ent, does not now recollect - And this de- ponent further saith, that after her said brother's return she has frequently heard him recount to his mother, as well as to deponet his revolutionary hardships  and sufferings, and has also heard him  on those occasions many years ago, & soon after his return home as above stated, mentioning the various places where he had been stationed, & had her- joined services during the said war. That deponet well recollects his stating that he had been at the siege of Fort Stanwix, and also at various other places, which this deponet does not now recollect, as it is many years since these conversations took place in which they were mentioned. And deponet further saith, that her said brother, as she has understood Helene, resides at Dunkirk in the County of Chautauqua County in said State. —
Sworn the 31 st . Oct. 1833 before me
her Margaret Driggs Dings mark
Samuel S. Penn
I certify that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Margaret Driggs the person by whom the above affidavit was made before me, and that she is a credible person. — Dated the 31 st . Oct. 1833
Samuel S. Penn

DE John Fink New York N o . 23279- 549
J.
On rolls
Inscribed 15 th Dec 1881
Ernes Mullett Dunkirk, Chautauqua co N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 3 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of John Fink
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May 1777 Enlisted 3 Pri. Capt. Geo. Dwyer Col. P. Gansevoort Siege of Stanwix From Rhinebeck to Albany to Schenectady to Fort Stanwix to Schenectady to Albany 79 years Livingston manor Columbia Co. N.Y. C o New York Traditionary witness proves three years service  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transactions.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
* all this supplied by additional afft. & certificates.

3549.
REJECTED
P. O.
John Fink
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleged: The printed list of 1862
gives cause of rejection as;
Reservists "He was a deserter".
See endorsement as to desertion on Office brief of June 3, 1833.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Sturminster Newton Nov 28 th
Rev. J. H. D.
Rev. J. H. D. Sturminster Newton
Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington D. C.
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the paper]

Dunkirk Chautauque Co. N.Y. Nov 23. 1833
Or Sir
There are papers relating to the application of John Smith for a pension. These enclose the printed that are the ones returned by you, the proof not having been deemed sufficient. I supposed at the time these papers were first sent to the department that the proof was more particular and explicit than that usually furnished at this late period. And on examining it again with your printed that I do not see any thing remarkable except that the affair before whom the afft. of Gushen Vanderheyden was first taken did not certify to his credibility I noticed that at the time, but I supposed that the attestation of the Clergyman to the same fact, with his signature authenticates would answer the same purpose.
However since the return of the papers I have at great trouble & expense procured two additional affidavits, one of Mr. & the other of Mrs. Deyo, together with certificates to their credibility, and also certificates to the credibility of Gushen Vanderheyden, who made the first afft. all duly & particularly authenticated. Which with the papers first sent I hope will be fully satisfactory.
As I understand your instructions the proof of Mrs. Deyo's Service stands thus:
3rd Service proved by tradition & tradition, John Smith & { Gushen Vanderheyden} telling first all the particulars of the Service: Consecrated by the afft. of, Adams Deyo Margaret Deyo Adams Deyo, all duly authenticated.
This is all the proof that can be obtained in this behalf, and I should think more full & positive than could be obtained at this late day by a majority of the revolutionary soldiers.
Mr. Deyo is old, infirm & miserably poor, and I hope that his certificate of his claimed entitled to our may not be delayed lest his funds arrived he may be beyond the reach of its benefits.
Yours truly
Ernest Maltbie
Edwards Esq. Clerk of Pensions.

John Fink 23279

City County of Schenectady Ys. Gershon Van derhey- den of the said City & County, aged seventy seven years, being duly sworn, doth depose to say, that he this deponent enlisted some time in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, as a private soldier in the Revolutionary army, in the third New York Regiment, commanded by Col o . Peter Gansevoort, that he served as a soldier in the said Regiment, upwards of four years from the time of his enlistment, at the expiration of which period he was transferred to the first New York Regiment, commanded by Col o . Goosen Van Schaick, in which latter Regiment he served until some time in the summer of one thou- sand seven hundred & eighty one. And this deponent further saith, that while attach- ed to the said third Regiment, he was well and intimately acquainted with one John Fink, who was, in the dutch language, usually called "Hans Finkle, or Finkam- -om, but, whether Finkle, or Finkamom, this deponent does not now precisely re- collect. That there was no other person of

the name of John Fink in said regiment, to his recollection - That the said John Fink enlisted as a private in Capt. Delvitt's Com- pany in the said regiment of Col. Gansvoort some time after this deponent had enlist- ed therein as aforesaid, and according to the best of this deponent's recollection I believe some time in the spring of the year One thousand seven hundred & seventy seven, and that the said John continued to serve as a private in Capt. Delvitt's Company in the said regiment, from the time of his enlistment therein as aforesaid, un- til this deponent was transferred to Col. Van Schaick's regiment as above mention- ed, being a period of upwards of three years service, during all which time the said Fink sustained the reputation of a sober, honest man & a faithful soldier - And this deponent further saith that he will remember to have seen the said John Fink while serving as a private in said Company, almost

daily during the last mentioned period, and while Col o Ganservoort's regiment was at Albany and Schenectady, and more particularly at the siege of Fort Stanwix - And this deponent further saith that he had a Cousin by the name of Adam Vanderheyden, who, with many others of the veterans of the revolution that were well acquainted with, fellow soldiers of the said John Fink, in Col o Ganservoort's Regiment, and who could have attested to his merit and services as a soldier of the Revolution, have all departed this life, and that there are few if any of the said Fink's revolutionary associates, in or about this City, except this deponent, still living. - And this deponent further saith that he always understood from the said Fink, while in the service, that he was about two years older than this deponent - That he this deponent does not recollect to have seen the said Fink for a number of years past but has understood & believes that he is still living, & that he resides at Dunkirk in this State.
Sworn the 22 d day of Nov r 1832
Gershon his X Vanderheyden mark
Henry Van Ingen Commissioner of deeds.

I certify that I am well acquainted with Gershon Van der heyden who has subscribed, (by making his mark) and sworn to the preceding Deposition , and believe him to be a man of veracity, whose statements are entitled to full credit — Schenectady Nov. 24 th 1832. —
Jacob Van Vechten, Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church, Schenectady
State of New York — } ss. I John S. Noonan County of Schenectady } Clerk of the County of Schenectady, do hereby certify, that Abraham Van Heen before whom the foregoing deposition of Gershon Van der heyden purports to have been taken, was, on the day of the date of the just thereto subscribed, (s) yet is, one of the "Commissioners of Deeds," in & for the City & County of Schenectady, duly empowered & authorized by an Act of the Legislature of

this State to administer any oaths or oaths &c. That I am well acquainted with the said Abraham Van Ingen and with his hand writing, and verily believe that the signa- ture to said deposition purporting to be his, is genuine - And I do further certify, that the Rev d . Jacob Van Vechten by whom the foregoing certificate purports to have been subscribed, is the Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church in this City; that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Jacob Van Vechten, and verily believe that the signa- ture to the said Certificate purporting to be his, is genuine, in the proper hand wri- ting of the said Jacob Van Vechten. —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affix- ed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, at the City of Schenectady aforesaid, the 24 th day of Nov r . A.D. 1832. — nss. the word "whom" interlined.
John T. Voorhies (Clerk)

State of New York County of Rensselaer Town of Greencush
Adam Dings being duly sworn deposed that he is well acquainted with John Fink have known him since I was about nine years I know he served in the American Revolution as a Soldier I that his dutch name was Hearts Finkernauer Further this deponent saith that
Subscribed & sworn this 3 rd day of September 1832 before me
H. Groenick S. Power
Adam his X Dings mark

Emery Elliott
Rec d vol 30. p. 216.

War Department Pension Office Dec 6 th 1834
Sir
The papers relating to the application claim of John Fitch for a pension have again been examined & the claim re- jected - It appears that The name by which the applicant was known at the period of the alleged service, as stated by one of his witnesses appears on the rolls of Col Ganswoorth's regiment, in Captain Dettill's Company, but it also appears that he deserted on the 15 th December 1777, thereby forfeiting all claim to a pension -
The papers are placed on file
Ernest Maltbie Esq. Dunkirk New York

New York NY John Fink Rejected Nov 7/32
letter to Sammie '34 to Ernest Nuttall

In the matter of the Application of John Duer for a pension
Addition Proof & Certificates. Exhibit A

State of New York County of Rensselaer 3 d p. Adam Dings of the Town of Greenbush in said County being duly sworn deposeth that he this deponent is well acquainted with John Fink, and has been acquainted with him since he was nine years old, as stated by this deponent in his former affidavit taken before St. George Esq. a justice of the peace of said County on the 3 d day of September 1832. That this depon- ent was born & brought up in Livingston's manor Columbia County, where he continued to reside until about the year 1816. That this deponent from his youth has been acquainted in the Family of the said John Fink, whom his sister this deponent married about forty six years ago. That the said John Fink enlisted as a soldier in the United States Service, some time in the early part of the Revolutionary war, and as this deponent from his best recollection believes, some time in the year One thousand seven hundred and seventy seven. - And this deponent further saith, that he does not recollect to have seen or heard from the said John Fink from the time of his said enlistment, until after the termination of the war, some years after the close of the war the said John Fink returned to Livingston's manor where he married, & settled a few miles from where this deponent resided. That he frequently worked for this deponent, while he resided at Livingston's manor, and while living there, he this de- ponent has frequently heard the said John Fink speak of his Revolutionary services & suffer- ings, and particularly of his being some time

at Fort Stawerif, and as deponent thinks at Schnectady and Albany - and this de- ponent further saith, that he has no personal knowledge of the place at which the said John Fink served during the revolutionary war , nor any further information than what he has acquired as aforesaid from the said John Fink, whose Dutch name, as stated by this deponent in his former affidavit above referred to was Hons or Houts Finkenon -
Sworn the 31 st day of October 1833 before me
his Adam X Dings mark.
N.B. The word "war" in this has interlined - also the word "the" 1 st page -
H. Gorham S. Pease
I hereby certify that the notice before which the above affidavit, and also an affidavit made before me on the 3 rd Sept. 1832, were severally made before me by Adam Dings do certify, that the said Adam Dings is a credible person, and further that he is one of the most reputable Farmers in the Town of Greenbush - Dated the 31 st Oct. 1833. -
H. Gorham S. Pease

State of New York Rensselaer County ss. I Henry R. Bristol Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Henry Goodrich Esqr. before & by whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn & certificate signed was on the day of the date thereof and also was on the 3 d day of September 1832 one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signatures subscribed to the foregoing affidavit & certificate are genuine
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this first day of November 1833.
Henry R. Bristol Clerk for S. Howard Innis Deputy
State of New York.
City & County of Schenectady ss. I Abraham Van Ingen a Commissioner of deeds for the said City and County, do hereby certify, that I am well ac- quainted with Gershon Vanderheyden, who, on the 22 d day of November 1832, made an affida- vit before me, in the matter of the application of John Fink, for a pension as a soldier of the Revolution, and that the said Gershon Vander- heyden is a credible person. In testimony where- of I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15 th day of November 1833.
Ab r Van Ingen
State of New York County of Schenectady ss. I John S. Freeman Clerk of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Abraham Van Ingen, by whom the prece- ding certificate, as to the credibility of Ger- shon Vanderheyden purports to have been subscribed, was on the day of the date thereof,

and also on the 22 d day of November 1832, a commissioner of deeds for the City & County of Schenectady, and duly authorized as such officer, to administer oaths - And I do further Certify, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Abraham Van Ingen, and verily believe, that his signature to said Certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand, & affixed the seal of said County this 15 th day of Nov- ember 1833
John J. Brooman Clerk